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Palm Coast OKs new red light cameras

Published: Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:52 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:52 a.m.

PALM COAST -- Motorists will have to watch out for a wave of new red light cameras with the City Council either already approving or considering about 40 new cameras to catch red light runners.

The City Council approved 15 cameras and is considering an additional 16 cameras. The cameras were approved Tuesday by a vote of 4-1, with Mayor Jon Netts, Vice Mayor Bill Lewis and Councilmen Bill McGuire and Frank Meeker voting in favor. Councilman Jason DeLorenzo, a consistent opponent of the cameras, voted against the devices.

The cameras are expected to be up and filming before the end of the year. Drivers will get a 15-day grace period when a new camera begins operating. After that, red light runners will get $158 citations.

DeLorenzo referred to a presentation when city officials initially approved renewing the contract with American Traffic Solutions, which provides the cameras and gets a cut of the cash collected. DeLorenzo said according to the presentation, the city would receive $700 a month for 10 locations, adding up to $84,000 a year. But if the city approves as many cameras as contemplated it would bring the total number to 52 cameras, which would bring up to $500,000, DeLorenzo said.

"There's been some talk about money," DeLorenzo said. "Most of you have said it's not about money. But I do think there is a big part of it that is about money. I didn't anticipate that we would hit 36 or possibly 52 camera locations. I thought maybe 10 more, not 42 more. And I've got to tell you I'm quite surprised."

But McGuire countered that it's about keeping people safe.

"Nobody has yet to get up and say that we don't have a problem that needs to be addressed, so if there are people running red lights and there are potential safety hazards, as a responsible city government we are trying to address this," McGuire said.

The cameras are the best and most economical solution because adding deputies to enforce traffic laws would be too expensive, McGuire said.

"This is the most responsible approach to a problem," McGuire said. "No one is saying 'Gee, you don't have a problem with red light runners. You don't have a problem with speeders and people driving irresponsibly.' We have a big problem in Palm Coast with irresponsible driving and I see this as the responsible government's approach to dealing with the problem, to solve the problem."

Since 2008 when Palm Coast added its cameras, Daytona Beach and Holly Hill have followed, with DeLand planning to activate cameras this year. The Volusia County cities all use Gatso USA as their red light camera company.

The contract between Palm Coast and ATS calls for the city to receive $700 per camera per month, ATS would receive the next $4,250 per camera per month. Anything above $4,950 goes to the city.

Existing cameras:

- Palm Coast Parkway eastbound and westbound at Old Kings Road

- Palm Coast Parkway and Cypress Point Parkway/Boulder Rock Drive

- Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway, east- and westbound

- Belle Terre Parkway and Cypress Point Parkway

- Belle Terre Parkway and Easthampton Boulevard/Central Avenue

Approved new red light cameras:

- Eastbound and westbound State Road 100 and Interstate 95.

- Northbound Belle Terre Parkway at Cypress Point Parkway.

- Southbound Belle Terre Parkway at State Road 100.

- Eastbound and westbound State Road 100 at Memorial Medical Parkway.

- Westbound State Road 100 at Seminole Woods Boulevard.

- Eastbound Palm Coast Parkway SW at Pine Cone Drive.

- Westbound and eastbound Palm Coast Parkway at I-95 on ramps and off ramps.

- Westbound Palm Coast Parkway at Clubhouse Drive.

- Northbound Belle Terre Parkway and Central Avenue.

- Westbound State Road 100 and Belle Terre Parkway.

- Palm Coast Parkway and Florida Park Drive, both east and westbound.

- Palm Coast Parkway NE and Harbor Center Way.

- Old Kings Road and Kings Way.

- Southbound Old Kings Road and Palm Coast Parkway.

- State Road 100 and Old Kings Road both east and westbound.

- Palm Coast Parkway and Pine Lakes Parkway both east and west bound.

- Eastbound State Road 100 at Seminole Woods Boulevard.

Additional cameras under consideration:

- Belle Terre Parkway and Palm Coast Parkway in all directions.

- Belle Terre Parkway and Parkview Drive.

- Belle Terre Parkway at Pine Lakes Parkway.

- Belle Terre Parkway and Royal Palms Parkway.

- Belle Terre Parkway and Rymfire Drive.

- Eastbound State Road 100 and Belle Terre Parkway.

- Southbound Belle Terre Parkway and White View Parkway.

- Eastbound Palm Coast Parkway and Colbert Lane.

- Eastbound Pine Lakes Parkway North and Belle Terre Parkway.

frank.fernandez

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